Flexible dispensing nozzle having a flared feather-like edge for mechanically shaping the nail cuticle



1956 R. B. DESPARD FLEXIBLE DISPENSING NOZZLE HAVING A FLARED FEATHER-LIKE EDGE FOR MECHANIGALLY SHAPING THE NAIL CUTICLE Original Flled Feb 12 1963 IN VENTOR. 776/;4'7/ ,Z, Jar v42;

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United States Patent 3,285,256 FLEXIBLE DISPENSING NOZZLE HAVING A FLARED FEATHER-LIKE EDGE FOR ME- CHANICALLY SHAPING THE NAIL CUTI- CLE Richard B. Despard, 1930 Washington, Birmingham, Mich. Continuation of application Ser. No. 257,982, Feb. 12, 1963. This application June 7, 1965, Ser. No. 461,881 4 Claims. '(Cl. 132-745) This is a continuation of my copending application, Serial No. 257,982, filed February 12, 1963, now abandoned. This invention relates generally to dispensing nozzles and more particularly to a dispensing nozzle having a cuticle shaping edge that can be used in conjunction with the dispensing of manicuring liquid to facilitate eflicient localized application.

The continuous improvement in the quality and quantity of home beauty aids, and more specifically, of selfapplied manicure and pedicure medications such as cuticle softeners and removers, has prompted a substantial increase in the production of a variety of manicuring tools ranging from the simple orange stick to the more complicated fluid dispensing cuticle removing mechanisms.

It has heretofore been the practice in fluid dispensing manicuring tools to provide a sharp knife-like cutting edge for loosening and shaping the cuticle and also to provide an orifice behind the working or cutting edge from which a cuticle treating and softening liquid stored in the body of the container is dispensed. However, these tools are objectionable because the sharp cutting edge frequently damages the nail roots and surfaces and also because the relative disassociation between the working edge of the manicuring tool and the delivery orifice makes it difficult to properly direct and apply the manicuring liquid to the nail cuticle. Furthermore, these tools are frequently too costly or cumbersome for practical use.

The present invention, which is directed towards use with a suitable fluid reservoir, preferably in the form of a polyethylene squeeze bottle, comprises a novel dispensing nozzle having a firm but resilient working end portion which permits simultaneous application of the cuticle fluid and mechanical shaping of the nail cuticle. It is a feature of the working end portion of the dispensing nozzle to have an outwardly flared feather edge that can be used with particular advantage in loosening and forming the cuticle without damaging the sensitive nail root and surface and that is uniquely associated with a delivery orifice to efliciently apply the cuticle softening fluid in a manner which obviates the necessity of cutting the nail cuticle.

It is accordingly the primary object of the present invention to provide an improved dispensing nozzle having a cuticle shaping end that is operable to apply a manicuring fluid and concurrently shape the cuticle without injuring the nail root or surafce.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an improved dispensing nozzle having a molded lip portion coextending with an elongate delivery orifice to increase the cleaning and shaping efiiciency thereof.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an improved dispensing nozzle of a firm but flexible material comprising an elongate delivery orifice having a molded lip portion so as to prevent injury to the surface of the nail during the application of the manicuring fluid.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an improved dispensing nozzle comprising a delivery end portion having a relatively inclined contour to facilitate convenient application of the manicuring fluid and cleaning of the nail surface.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a dispensing nozzle of a simple design, durable operation, and which is readily adaptable for installation on a deformable squeeze-type container.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIGURE 1 is a side elevational view of a dispensing container and closure cap incorporating therein the dis pensing nozzle of the present invention;

FIGURE 2 is a side elevational view of a dispensing container partially broken away, showing the dispensing nozzle of the present invention in operative association;

FIGURE 3 is an enlarged plan view of the dispensing nozzle of the present invention taken in the direction of the arrow 3 in FIGURE 2;

FIGURE 4 is an enlarged fragmentary cross-sectional view taken along the line 44 of FIGURE 3; and

FIGURE 5 is an enlarged fragmentary cross-sectional view taken along the line 55 of FIGURE 3.

Referring to FIGURES 1 and 2 of the drawings, a dispensing nozzle 10, in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, is shown in operative assocition with a suitable dispensing container 12 which is preferably in the form of a conventional polyethylene squeeze-type bottle having a neck 14 which is externally threaded for acceptance of a suitable closure cap 16. The dispensing nozzle 10 is press-fitted or otherwise retained within the neck 14 and facilitates the delivery of a manicuring fluid with a concurrent shaping of the nail cuticle, as will be described.

As best seen in FIGURES 3 and 4 of the drawings, the dispensing nozzle 10 has a generally circular base portion 18 which is preferably frusto conical in cross section or tapered slightly to facilitate the insertion thereof into the neck .14 of the dispensing container 12. A radially extending shoulder 20 is disposed above the base portion 18 to facilitate a seating of the dispensing nozzle 10 within the neck 14 and to assure a leakproof seal therebetween. Extending upwardly from the shoulder 20 is a relatively long, thin, hollow and flexible neck portion 22 defining a generally circular discharge passage 24 which terminates at a tip 25 of the neck portion 22 in a relatively narrow elongate delivery orifice 26.

As also seen in FIGURES 3 and 5, an outwardly flared or feathered cuticle shaping lip 28 to permit a hoe-like cleaning and shaping of the nail surface is superimposed on and coextends with a major portion of the elongate sides of the delivery orifice 26. Furthermore, the shaping lip 28 has a relatively flat outer surface 30 which facilitates concurrent application of the manicuring fluid and mechanical shaping of the nail cuticle.

The working end portion 22 of the dispensing nozzle 10 may be bent or inclined towards one side of the container 12, as indicated by a slightly askew vertical axis 32 in FIGURE 5 of the drawings, to further facilitate use of the dispensing nozzle 10 in a hoe-like manner. It should be noted that the elongate edges coextending longitudinally of the delivery orifice 26 define a pair of convex profile edges 34 which conform generally to the shape of the nail cuticle and facilitate an efiicient loosening and working thereof.

The dispensing nozzle 10 is preferably constructed of a suitable soft, resilient and deformable material, such as polyethylene plastic. This composition gives the shaping lip and edges of neck portion 22 a firm but flexible action so that the dispensing nozzle 10 can be readily used similar to a conventional orange stick, thereby making it possible to work the manicuring lotion between the cuticle and the nail surface closer to the nail root, and thus increasing the efficiency of the manicuring lotions while safeguarding against possible injury to the sensitive nail root area.

From the foregoing, it will be apparent that the primary novelty of the dispenser herein illustrated and described resides in the provision of an applicator nozzle of essentially soft, flexible and resilient material having (1) a flatened tip provided with a convex edge profile, (2) an elongate discharge orifice at the tip through which cuticle softening liquid is discharged onto the base of the nail and along the cuticle, (3) an outwardly flared lip extending along at least a major portion of the profile edge of said tip and along at least one side of the orifice over Which the liquid spills onto the nail providing a feather edge that can be used to manipulate and push back the softened cuticle, and (4) a relatively long, essentially thin and flexible neck portion behind the tip and the orifice which gives or yields readily in use under manual pressure on the dispenser and thus acts to control and regulate the maximum amount of force that will normally be imposed on the tender root portion of the nail during manipulation of the cuticle. In this manner and as a result of the coordinate action of these four features the physical action of the applicator nozzle augments and complements the nature of the material from which the applicator tip is made in permitting the cuticle to be worked properly without tearing or otherwise damaging it or the relatively soft root portion of the nail. This particular combination of features mutually cooperate and contribute to an improved result in dispensing the cuticle softening liquid and in providing a better mechanical action in pushing and shaping the cuticle without damage to it or to the fingernail. perform the above functions more efficiently than heretofore, but it also eliminates the need for separate articles heretofore required such as an orange stick or the like conventionally used for this purpose.

While it is apparent that the preferred embodiment herein illustrated is well calculated to fulfill the objects stated, it will be appreciated that the invention is susceptible to modification, variation and change without departing from the proper scope or fair meaning of the subjoined claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A dispensing nozzle for a container of cuticle softening liquid for use in manicuring a nail and cuticle, said Not only does the'applicator of this invention nozzle comprising a base adapted for attachment to said container, a relatively long, thin, hollow and flexible neck portion extending upwardly from said base, said neck portion having the end thereof remote from the base flattened so as to form a tip of convex profile, an elongate discharge orifice in the tip through which said cuticle softening liquid is discharged onto the base of said nail and along said cuticle, a relatively thin, outwardly flared lip extending along at least a major portion of the profile edge of said tip and along at least one side of the orifice over which the liquid spills providing a feather edge for use in manipulating and pushing back the softened cuticle, said flexible neck portion yielding readily in use under manual pressure to control and regulate the maximum force normally imposed on the nail during manipulation of the cuticle by said feather edge.

2. A nozzle as defined in claim 1 wherein said tip has a relatively thin, outwardly flared lip extending along at least a major portion of the profile edge thereof and along both sides of said orifice.

3. A nozzle as defined in claim 1 wherein said tip has a generally elongated eliptical cross-sectional configuration.

4. A nozzle as defined in claim 1 wherein said base includes a dependent hollow portion receivable in said container and a generally radially outwardly extending shouder engageable with the outer end of said container.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS D. 136,098 8/1943 Hartman 222575 X 817,890 4/ 1906 Williams. 1,531,245 3/1925 Ozanne. 2,876,782 3/1959 Hudgens 132-745 2,898,007 8/1959 Gassaway 222215 X 2,987,223 6/1961 Armour 222-566 X RICHARD A. GAUDET, Primary Examiner.

R. L. FRINKS, Assistant Examiner. 

1. A DISPENSING NOZZLE FOR A CONTAINER OF CUTICLE SOFTENING LIQUID FOR USE IN MANICURING A NAIL AND CUTICLE, SAID NOZZLE COMPRISING A BASE ADAPTED FOR ATTACHMENT TO SAID CONTAINER, A RELATIVELY LONG, THIN, HOLLOW AND FLEXIBLE NECK PORTION EXTENDING UPWARDLY FROM SAID BASE, SAID NECK PORTION HAVING THE END THEREOF REMOTE FROM THE BASE FLATTENED SO AS TO FORM A TIP OF CONVEX PROFILE, AN ELONGATE DISCHARGE ORIFICE IN THE TIP THROUGH WHICH SAID CUTICLE SOFTENING LIQUID IS DISCHARGED ONTO THE BASE OF SAID NAIL AND ALONG SAID CUTICLE, A RELATIVELY THIN, OUTWARDLY FLARED LIP EXTENDING ALONG AT LEAST A MAJOR PORTION OF THE PROFILE EDGE OF SAID TIP AND ALONG AT LEAST ONE SIDE OF THE ORIFICE OVER WHICH THE LIQUID SPILLS PROVIDING A FEATHER EDGE FOR USE IN MANIPULATING AND PUSHING BACK THE SOFTENED CUTICLE, 